Pope Francis urges African bishops to educate people in chastity to prevent AIDS

By M Donnelly, on April 8th, 2014

Pope Francis urges African bishops to educate people in chastity to prevent AIDS

Pope Francis spoke of “the great challenge facing God’s people in Tanzania in our day: to give a compelling witness to the loving redemption of humanity by Jesus Christ experienced and celebrated by the community of believers in the Church. Here I think in a special way of the witness of missionary discipleship (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 119-120) given by workers in the Church’s healthcare apostolate, not least in caring for those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and by all who strive diligently to educate people in the area of sexual responsibility and chastity. I also think of all those who devote themselves to the integral development of the poor, and in particular, of destitute women and children”

He went on to say “A particularly outstanding exercise of the lay apostolate is that of the men and women catechists in your country who labour to pass on the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian life. In your service to the local Church, make every effort to provide catechists with a comprehensive understanding of the Church’s doctrine. This will equip them not only to counter the challenges of superstition, aggressive sects and secularism, but even more importantly, to share the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith with others, particularly the young”.

He then continued saying that he hoped their encounter would be an “incentive to review” the call of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops in 2009 for “a more energetic apostolate to the family, through uncompromising and selfless spiritual and material assistance (cf. Africae Munus, 43). By promoting prayer, marital fidelity, monogamy, purity and humble service of one another within families, the Church continues to make an invaluable contribution to the social welfare of Tanzania, one which, coupled with her educational and healthcare apostolates, will surely foster greater stability and progress in your country. There is scarcely a finer service which the Church can offer than to give witness to our conviction of the sanctity of God’s gift of life and to the essential role played by spiritual and stable families in preparing the younger generations to live virtuous lives and to face the challenges of the future with wisdom, courage and generosity”.

2 comments to Pope Francis urges African bishops to educate people in chastity to prevent AIDS

I don’t think the African bishops will have a problem preaching chastity to prevent AIDS. I do think the Nuchurch bishops & priests of Western Europe, North America, & Australia would have a big problem preaching chastity to prevent venereal disease, unwanted pregnancies or for any reason whatsoever out of pure cowardice. How about because sex outside of marriage is a mortal sin? Now it is a sin to even mention sin.

Joanne — you are so right. Thank you for having the courage to put these thoughts into words. A pity that very few people to whom this speaks will see them, much less take the validity of them on board in their thinking or behaviour. We need the guidance of the holy spirit and lots of prayers to get through each and every day in this secular world.